Local Walks

Swaledale offers some of the most breathtaking and beautiful walking this country has to offer, with walks to suit all ages, abilities and energy levels! We have an extensive selection of local Dales walking guides and maps for your use.

A couple of our favourites….

Circular walk to Muker (The classic Swaledale Walk)

Walking from Frith Lodge along the Pennine Way down to Keld, enjoying a fantastic view of the village as you descend down to East Gill Force (one of the many waterfalls in this area). Walking behind East Gill Force you now join the Coast to Coast path up to Crackpot Hall an old mine building, now a ruin. Don’t miss the photo opportunity from Crackpot Hall looking down the dale along the River Swale towards Muker. Continue down to the river and enjoy the gentle stroll to Rampsholme Bridge and then walk single file on the flagstones across the hay meadows to Muker.

Muker is home to The Farmers Arms one of our favourite Dales pubs. There are also the Village Store and Tea Rooms which are housed in the old Victorian Vicarage as well as an Art Gallery and Craft Shop so it’s an ideal half way stopping point to explore and find some refreshment.

On 5 July 2014, the Grand Depart of The Tour de France Stage 1 from Leeds to Harrogate passed through Muker.

Once refueled and rested, head out of the village past The Old Vicarage and start the climb up Kisdon Hill. Remember (if you need reminding!) to stop and look back at the view over the village and down the Dale. Continue up and over Kisdon, the lovely grassy track does not go right to the summit but don’t despair you are up high enough to get an amazing 360 panoramic view. Continue down the track and pick up the road back to Keld. Pop into the Keld Resource Centre for an interesting look at Keld’s history and hear some locals who have made short recordings. Continue down to the river and cross the bridge, head on to East Gill Force and pick up the Pennine Way back to Frith Lodge.

Circular Walk to Ravenseat Farm and Tan Hill

Ravenseat Farm is featured on ITV’s The Dales programme and the Tan Hill Inn is Britain’s highest Pub.

Leaving Frith Lodge walk down to the hamlet of West Stonesdale and take the road until you pick up the Coast to Coast path to Ravenseat. Pass Smithy Holme and continue along How Edge Scars and drop down to Ravenseat Farm. Ravenseat is home to Amanda Owen ‘The Yorkshire Shepherdess’, her husband Clive and their 8 children. They do a lovely Cream Tea here with home made scones and jam. From Ravenseat Farm it’s a climb up to Roberts Seat, from here you can take in the view across to Stonesdale Moor. You’ll be able to see Tan Hill from here and also Frith Lodge. Continue by the waterfalls until you join the road for the last few yards to the Tan Hill. Tan Hill is the highest pub in Britain at 1,732 feet (528 m) above sea level. The building dates to the 17th century, and during the 18th century was used as a hostelry by workers digging coal pits. The pub is in unusual isolation, with Frith Lodge being its nearest neighbour 3 miles away, but it is kept busy with local trade, walkers, cyclists and bikers. There is live music every Saturday, visiting bands have included Arctic Monkeys, Mark Ronson, British Sea Power and Ellie from BBC Countryfile sang whilst filming Secret Britain in 2015. So you may wish to partake of some further refreshment here before heading back along the Pennine Way to Frith Lodge.